Society of Illustrators Honors Six MICA Students

Work by Emerging Illustrators on Exhibition in New York May 6-June 6

Posted 03.16.09 by MICA Media Relations

BALTIMORE--Illustrations by six MICA students have been selected for the Society of Illustrators 2009 Student Scholarship Competition exhibition, which opens May 6 at the Museum of American Illustration in New York. The exhibition, which for 30 years has opened the door for many of today's professionals -- including Kadir Nelson, James Bennett, Gwenda Kaczor, Dan Dos Santos, and James Jean, showcases the most mature, sophisticated, and well crafted illustrations of the year from top-level college students around the country.

MICA alumna Kali Ciesemier '08 won the $500 Society of Illustrators Museum Committee Award for The Naturalist under the instruction of Sam Weber.

A jury of professional peers, including illustrators and art directors, chose the most outstanding works created throughout the year. Pieces were accepted based on the quality of technique, concept, and skill of medium used. After reviewing 5,600 submissions, only 144 were selected for this year's exhibition.

The Society, as well as various other private and corporate donors, has granted more $50,000 in scholarships to the best students featured in the competition. Beginning May 6 and continuing through June 6, the Museum of American Illustration will display the students' original artwork as well as a full-color catalog. Awards and certificates will be given to the students during the opening reception on May 8.

Last year, MICA illustrator Jeremy Enecio '08 received one of the competition's most prestigious awards - $5,000 in memory of Arthur Zankel - as well as the Illustration Academy Award, a scholarship to participate in a 7-week intensive illustration program. Enecio, now a concept artist for Big Huge Games in Timonium, Md., was just honored by Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art with a prestigious Gold Award for Koi, an unpublished illustration. Koi will be featured in the upcoming Spectrum 16.

For more information about the young illustrators, please call 410-225-2300.

Image credit: Naturalist by Kali Ciesemier.

Founded in 1826, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation. The College enrolls nearly 3,500 undergraduate, graduate and continuing studies students from 49 states and 65 countries in fine arts, design, electronic media, art education, liberal arts, and professional studies degree and non-credit programs. With art and design programs ranked in the top ten by U.S. News and World Report, MICA is pioneering interdisciplinary approaches to innovation, research, and community and social engagement. Alumni and programming reach around the globe, even as MICA remains a cultural cornerstone in the Baltimore/Washington region, hosting hundreds of exhibitions and events annually by students, faculty and other established artists.